Despite Trump threats, Windsor’s message to Americans: ‘Come on over!’

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If Americans want to know whether Canadians will still be friendly when visiting Windsor given the toxic political rhetoric in Washington, Canadians have a ready-made response: End!

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A Detroit-based poster on the social media site Reddit recently asked this question about the “Windsorontario” Subreddit and raised a large number of responses, mostly from Canadians.

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Under the title, “Visiting Windsor in Detroit. Popular with Americans?” the poster reads: “Our president and his people are terrible, I’m ashamed of him, he won the election and how to treat Canada.

“I want to bring my family to Windsor and dinner. How angry is Windsor to individual Americans? Will we be treated the same way we did in the past?”

Responsive and very clear.

“Come on!” wrote a poster, perhaps triggered on the 1997 Shania Twain album. “Tell your friends about your visit! Everything will be fine.”

Most responders offer similar emotions – with various qualifications.

Another answered: “No one will treat you differently.” “Just leave your magazine hat at home.”

References to Maga – Making America great again, the slogans of President Donald Trump and his supporters form the basis of many qualified responses to enjoy the hospitality of Windsor.

Another poster replied: “We have no objection to the American people.” “We just can’t stand your president and his administration! You’re very welcome to Windsor!”

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Others mentioned the “51st State” referring to Trump’s repeated desire to express his desire for Canadian tariffs and to get Canadians to agree to join the United States.

One poster wrote: “Yes, just don’t make Canada the 51st state or something like nonsense.”

Another posting response has further eligibility: “Don’t post any comments in state 51, don’t wear magazine hats, don’t have Trump bumper stickers or Trump’s flag, you’ll be fine.”

Another poster said: “Don’t post 51 comments, don’t wear a red hat, you should be fine. Have some meat sauce and enjoy your visit!”

A poster offers slightly different options:

“If you have a magazine hat, no one in Windsor will cause you a hard time. I mean, if they do, they won’t spread hatred better than Trump himself… Just don’t (annoying) and you’ll find Canadians behave more than Americans.”

“You’re fine,” another poster wrote. “Anger is directed at Trump and his psychopaths. As long as you don’t make 51 jokes or wear a red hat, you’ll be subject to the average everyday American.

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Others are more optimistic about the whole issue.

“Americans are (our) friends, always.” “What we disagree with is Trump and his policies. Welcome you with open arms.

Another wrote: “In Canada, Americans are always welcome. Hell, we will take you fishing and even share our quality beer with you.”

The original poster clarifies the issue later in response to someone who guarantees no violence.

“You’ll find the mood online more fanatic, but it’s not like you’ll get attacked in person,” one post said. “If you tell people around you that you like orange dictators, the IDK (I don’t know) may be different. Even then, we have crazy.”

The original poster replied: “I’m not really going to be attacked, if it’s a word (or not), more obvious dissatisfaction.”

This is.

During the weekend protests at Detroit’s Hart Plaza, Detroit’s Hart Plaza was reflected on the side of Windsor in the Great Canadian Flag — the star asked some Michigans if they would visit Windsor at the moment.

“I was in Canada for about a week a while ago and I got a good reception,” Elle Sawa said. “I think everyone is willing to hear where you are standing and I think they will judge you after that.”

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She said the people she talked to knew she was American.

Her father, Brian Sawa, said he has been to Windsor every year for decades, although he hasn’t been to Windsor since the 19th pandemic.

“I think Canadians are smart enough to realize that the people in the White House office are not people representing ordinary Americans,” he said. “I don’t think they have hatred inside them.”

Mark Lewandowski made it clear. “I don’t even have to think about it,” he said. “I know what kind of reception I’ll get. You’re welcome. Canadians are friendly.

“They welcome you. They don’t ask you. They just welcome you with open arms.”

Sheri Manska, who hasn’t been to Windsor since Covid-19, said she wouldn’t have any reservations about visiting the city.

“I’m not afraid,” she said. “I’ve always felt welcome. For me, especially Windsor is a neighbor.”

Amersburg Mayor Michael Prue said on the Canadian border side that the town’s open-air weekend attracted many Americans and he could not see the change.

“We expect American tourists to get stuck, not only because it’s cheaper (due to the low money making), but it’s safe – so they can have a great time.”

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Canadians have not directed their anger at Trump himself to Americans, Prue said.

“I go to the (Royal Canadian) Legion once or twice a week and people think Trump is an idiot. It’s almost universal.

“One day, when someone objected to what the Americans said, the bartender there said, ‘I’m sorry, this is not allowed. They are our neighbors and our friends. If you’re going to speak like this, please leave.”

“It’s very illuminating.”

Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, said the region receives 1.7 million visitors a year from the U.S. and about 300,000 people spend the night.

“The first thing travelers look for when traveling is that they will feel welcome and safe,” Orr said.

“Obviously, there was a lot of rhetoric and confusion in the political side of the White House, but most Canadians, surely the Wissoons and our friends in (Essex) County, knew that this was not the people.”

Orr said Americans “still feel welcome and safe.”

Elaine Weeks of Windsor organized a Windsor side during a cross-border protest against Trump threatening on Saturday: Americans say:

“Oh yes, they welcome-Absolutely, come on.”

bumacleod@postmedia.com

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